Fastening for safe or vault plates.



No. 679,371. Patented July 30, mm. H. 0. HiBBARD.

FASTENING FOR SAFE 0R VAU (Applicsfiun filed Oct. 31, 19

LT PLATES.

2 Sheets-Sheet (NO Model.)

Mlnesses- %%W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY D. HIBBARD, OF PLAINFIELD, NElV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE HIBBARD,RODMAN, ELY SAFE COMPANY, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

FASTENING FOR SAFE OR VAULT PLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,371, dated July 30,1901. Application filed October 31, 1900. serial No- 34,988- (No model.)

To (0U whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY D. HIBBARD, a citizen of the United States,residing in Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastenings forSafeor Vault Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This in vention relates to fastenings for safe or vault wall componentsor plates, one object being to provide an improved fastening for holdingtogether a plurality of wall components or plates of safes or vaults ofcom posite construction, the present fastening being an improvement uponthat shown and described in my conternporaneously-pending application,Serial No. 10,471, filed March 28, 1900, and which eventuated in apatent dated November 27, 1900,No. 662,433, and is adapted for use withvarious kinds and forms of safes or vaults or may be used with thedifferent constructions thereof shown and described in mycontemporaneously-pending applications, Serial Nos. 7,967, 7,968, and7,969, filed March 9, 1900, now Patents Nos. 662,430, 662,431, and662,432, respectively, dated November 27, 1900.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with thefastening shown and described in my said contemporaneouslypending case,Serial No. 10,471, now Patent No. 662,433, a method of increasing theresistance of the components or plates to such fastening, whereby suchplates are clamped under a very high initial resistance, which must befirst overcome before the components can be separated in any attempt toforce an entrance into the joint.

A further object of the invention is to provide at the joint formed by apair of plates an enteriorly located increased portion or bead, which iscapable of yielding under an explosive charge to preserve at all times ametal-to-metal contact of the joint-surfaces of the plates, and soprevent the opening of the joint, and consequently the introduction ofnitroglycerin thereinto, as set forth in connection with the beadlocated around the doorway in my contemporaneously-pending application,Serial No. 696,394, filed November 4, 1898, now Patent No. 662,429,dated [November 27, 1900, this bead being preferably obtained in thepresent instance by providing each plate adjacent to its free edge withan eXteriorly-located flange or projection of metal.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a pair of wall components orplates in position to be clamped together by the coupling. Fig. 2 is asectional view of the plates in position to be clamped together by thecoupling, which is shown in side elevation. Fig. 3 is an end view ofthis improved fastening. Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1,but illustrating the plates or Wall components clamped together underhigh tension. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modification ofthis improved fastening means, the plates being in position to beclamped together. Fig. 6 is also a sectional view of thismodification,showing the plates or wall components clamped togetherunder high tension. Fig. 7 is a View of a series of these improvedfastening devices connecting a pair of wall components or plates, andFigs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatical ing-bead of yielding metal formed bythe flanges located around the exterior free edges of the plates orcomponents.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thedifferent figures of the drawings.

In practice any desired number of these improved fastenings may be used,according to the size and character of the members or plates to beunited, and such fastenings may be located any desired distance apart.In the form thereof herein shown and described and which may be thepreferred form thereof, if desired, this improved fastening comprises aplurality of projections 2 and 3, shown in the present instance as apair thereof, rigid, as, for instance, integral with a pair of safe orvault members or plates 4 to be secured together. In practice each plateis usually provided with a plurality of projections located at its innerside adjacent to each free edge and which are in position to registerwith similar projections carried by a companion mem ber or plate.

These projections may be of views illustrating the action of the protectouter faces 9 of such plates will bear against any desired shape; but inone form thereof herein shown they are illustrated as wedgeshaped withrounded exterior surfaces 5 and flat inner faces 6. To clamp theprojections together under high tension, so as to resist the opening ofthe joint, a retaining device is provided which comprises a couplingmember. This coupling member is shown in the present instance comprisinga link 7, shrunk onto said projections, whereby the joints are formedunder high pressurethat is to say, the edge faces of the plates ormembers are drawn together with great forcethereby giving a high initialresistance, which it will be readily seen must be first overcome beforesuch members or plates can be separated in the slightest degree to forcean entrance into the joint.

In accordance with the present improvement the wall components or platesare made of considerable thickness and of materialsuit-- ableforresisting-attackssuch, for instance, as unmachineable. metal. fer, tocast the plates of manganese steel, by which I mean the metal producedand treated in accordance with the Hadfield' patentedprocesses. For thepurpose of increasing the resistance of the plates to the action ofthecoupling device, and thereby rendering such coupling device moreeffective, I make the contiguous walls 8 and 8" of such plates andprojectionsslightly diverging, (shown greatly exaggerated in thedrawings for the purpose of-illustratiom) so that onassemblingsuchplates or wall members together the each other. It is weltknown that even the most resistant metals are, notwithstanding theirgreat resisting qualities, somewhat flexible, and in the presentimprovement this fact is-utilized to secure a superior fastening forsectional safes or vaults,

In the form of fastening shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the diverging faces 8 andS are shown slightly inclined-as, for instance, curved or concaved fromthe free ends of or from a point adjacent to the free ends of theprojections 2 and 3 to the outer sides of or to a point ad,- jacent tothe outer sides of the wall platesior components, while in theformshownin Figs. 5 and 6 the contiguous faces 8 and 8' of the platesand projections are shown as diverging from each other-from the outerside of or from a point adjacent to the outer sideot such wallcomponents or-plates toward; the ends of the projections.

Whenthe safe-plates or wall components'are assembled edge to edge andhave the construction shown in Fig. 1,

such components will bear upon each other along their outer edges, asat9, and; inthat form of the improvement shown in said figure will alsobear at thep' inner ends of their projections, 81337139"; but owing tothe diverging formation of'the surfaces 8 and Sthere will be whentheplates are assembled a slight space, 10'between. the plates. and.projections along such contiguous edges. On applying In practice I preatension device to the projections, which tension device may consist of abolt or an encircling or inclosing device or any means adapted for thepurpose, the pressure of such tension device forcibly brings thesurfaces 8 and 8 together, so as to close the space or opening 10between the same, and thereby bring the edges of the plates andprojections other. (SeeFig. 4.) It will of course be understood that thesaid tens-ion device must be of a relatively powerful character and ableto slightly deflect the plates as required for closing the joint. Bythis improved fasten- *ing it will thus be seen that the greatest amountof force of one plate is brought against the other along the outerportion 9 of the joint, so that the faces of the components are drawn;together with excessive pressure at the point where an attack must firstbe made, and consequently an increased obstacle is thus offered againstburglariousentry.

In practice it is preferable to locate the tension or clamping device(shown in the present organization as a shrunk-on link) substantiallymidway between the ends of the joint, whereby the projections 2 and 3constitute levers thefree ends of which form. a fulcrum, so that aneffective means is obtained for reducing the tendency of any forceapplied to the outer sides of the plate at the joint toopen the loverswithin. the link when this formof clamping means isused, and thus permitthe joint to open.

In some constructions of safes or vaults the 'form of fastening shown inFigs. 5 and 6 may ,be preferred tothat shown in Figs. 1 to 4. In thisform. the surfaces at the inner part 12 of *the projections 2 and, 3meet before the surifaces at the free ends 13 of such projections icomeinto contact, whereby the tendency ,which might exist to some extent ofthe tenision bolt or link to break off the projections is materiallyreduced: or avoided.

in a fixed position or alinement relatively to each other and so preventtheforcing of one plate inwardly independently of its companion platemeans independent of the clamping device is provided, and for this.purpose each of theprojections is shown provided in its inner face witha recess or 5101114., which when incom m unication withasimilar recessor slot of its companion projection forms a keyway 15 for the receptionof a; key 16, by means of which the projections and the members orplates formed asa part thereof may be located in proper alinement andin. a fixed position relatively to each other, so that the possibilityof forcing one plate inwardly independently of its companion plate isprevented. By this-organization it will be seen that it is-practicableto make safes,vaults, and strong composite construction which, it isbelieved,

structure, since when shrunk-on links are For locking the wallcomponents-or plates boxes of highly-resistant material and of a.

;will be practicallyas strong as an integralinto a very forcible bearingone upon the used they Will become, to a certain extent, integral withthe projections. hen the plates are large and heavy, it will be seenthat by providing a number of these improved fastenings located side byside at the desired intervals or in juxtaposition, as it is deemeddesirable, it is believed that it will be found practically impossibleto separate the plates even by the use of high explosives, and when thematerial of the plates is not machineable in any practicable manner itfollows that there is provided a structure which, although it is formedof sections or plates, has nevertheless all the ad vantages andburglar-resisting qualities of an integral safe. Furthermore, since theouter surfaces of the plates at the point 9 are the parts which arebrought together with the greatest force it is believed that thepossibility of opening the joint for the introduction of nitroglycerinis eliminated, especially when such joint is protected in the mannerabout to be described.

In my contemporaneously-pending application, Serial No. 696,394, filedNovember 14, 1898, now Patent No. 662,429, dated November 27, 1900, Ihave shown and described a method of preventing the opening of the jointaround the door, this method consisting in providing an increasedportion or flange located around the door, the metal of which flangewill yield under the action of an explosive charge While preserving ametal-tometal contact of the jamb and door edge.

In the present instance I preferably provide each of the wall componentsor plates on its outer surface and adjacent to its free edge with aprojection or flange 18 of metal cooperating with a similar projectionor flange of a companion plate to form an increased portion or head 19,adapted to yield under the action of an explosive charge, so that theeffeet of such charge acts on and is taken up by the bead, andconsequently has little appreciable effect on the main Wall of theplates. This action is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the full linesshowing the normal position of the metal before the charge is fired andthe dotted lines the position after such firing. In Fig. 8 isillustrated the condition of the metal after an explosive charge-such,forinstance, as sticks of dynamite-is fired directly on the joint, whilein Fig. 9 is illustrated the condition of the metal after an explosivecharge is fired at one side of such joint. In Fig. 8 it will be seenthat the metal of the yieldable bead has yielded after the firing ofsuch explosive charge, so that it is compressed or slightly flattened atone point into the position shown bydotted lines I), while bulged orprojected laterally at 0. Since there is no resisting-wall of metal toprevent the bead yielding laterally, as would be the case if the platewas as thick at all points as at the part having the bead, it followsthat the effect of the charge is merely to compress the metal at thejoint Z) without in the least tending to open the joint. In Fig. 9 theaction of the explosive charge at one side of the joint forces the metalinto the position shown in the dotted lines 01 and moves thejoint-surfaces from their normal positions to that shown by dotted linee, and although such joint is dislocated and moved laterallynevertheless the surfaces forming such joint still remain inmetal-tometal contact, with the joint water -tight. From the foregoingit will be seen that by the provision of this bead, preferably formed inthe present instance of a pair of flanges, and therefore comprising whatmight be properly designated as a duplex head, there is provided anincreased portion of metal, which is capable of yielding or flowinglaterally under an explosive charge, thereby to prevent the force ofsuch charge from being exerted on the main part of the wall. Byproviding a yielding portion of metal I am enabled to provide a jointwhich will resist all attempts to introduce nitroglycerin therein.

While the metal of the bead will yield under an explosive charge insubstantially the manner indicated, it nevertheless is of sufficientresistance so that it will not yield when the tension device is applied.Moreover, by the provision of this bead the bearing-surfaces of theplates are materially increased, especially at those points where theprojections are located, so that a larger area of metal is provided overwhich the shocks of the charges are distributed, and consequently theefficiency of the fastening means is materially increased, since theincreased area over which the shocks of an explosive charge aredistributed renders such shocks less effective on the projections andlinks.

I claim as my invention 1. A pair of safe or vault plates or memberseach having located on its exterior adjacent to its free edge aprojection or flange, said flanges cooperating to form a yielding beadadapted to yield under the effect of an explosive charge whilepreserving a metal-tometal contact of the joint-surfaces of such plates;and means for maintaining the edges of such plates in contact.

2.'An improved joint for safes or vaults formed by assembling a pair ofsafe or vault plates or members each having located on its exterioradjacent to its free edge a projection or flange, said flangescooperating to form a yielding bead adapted to yield under the effect ofan explosive charge while preserving a metal-to-metal contact of thejoint-surfaces of such plates, each of said plates also having aninwardly-extending projection; and means for clamping such projectionstogether.

3. A pair of safe or vault plates or members each having located on itsexterior adjacent to its free edge a projection or flange, said flangescooperating to form a yielding bead adapted to yield under the effect ofan explosive charge While preserving a metal-to-metal contact of thejoint-surfaces of such plates,

IIO

means for maintaining the edges of the plates incontact; and means forlocating said plates in alinement. 1

4. An improved joint for safes or vaults formed by assembling a pair ofsafe or vault plates or members each having located on its exterioradjacent to its free edge a projection or flange, said flangescooperating to form a yielding bead adapted to yield under the effect ofan explosive charge while preserving a metal-to-metal contact of thejoint-surfaces of such plates, each of said plates also having' aninwardly-extending projection; and means for clamping such projectionstogether, and comprising a link shrunk onto said projections.

5. An improved joint for safes or vaults formed by assembling a pair ofsafe or vault components edge to edge, each having on its exterioradjacent to its free edge a flange or projection, such flanges forming ayielding bead adapted to yield under the efiect of an explosive chargewhile preserving a metal-to- 'metal contact of the joint-surfaces ofsuch plates, each of said components also having an inwardly-extendingprojection, the contiguous faces of said components and projectionsdiverging to form a space intermediate such faces; and means forapplying tensionto such projections, thereby to bring said contiguousfaces into engagement and close up such space.

6. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising, incombination with'a plurality of wall plates or components set edge toedge, a member or projection rigid with each of said plates and locatedon the inte rior of the safe or vault when such plates are assembled insuchstructure, the contiguous faces of such projections and of theplates diverging so as to form a space; and means for drawing orclamping said contiguous faces together with great force thereby toclose up such space and hold the plates under tension.

7. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising, incombinationwith a plurality of wall plates or components set-edge toedge, a member or projection rigid with each of said plates and locatedonthe interior of the safe or vault when such plates are assembled insuch structure, the contiguous faces of such projections and of theplates diverging so as to form a space; and means shrunk on saidprojections for drawing or clamping said contiguous faces together withgreat force thereby to close up such space and hold the plates undertension.

8. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising, incombinationwith a pinrality of wall plates or components set edge toedge, a member or projection rigid with each of said plates and locatedon the interior of the safe or vault when such plates are assembled insuch structure, the contiguous faces of such projections and of theplates diverging so as to form a space; and means shrunk on saidprojections at a point substantially midway between the outer faces ofsaid plates and the inner ends of said projections for drawing orclamping said contiguousfaces together with great force thereby to closeup such space and hold the plates under tension.

9. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising, incombination with a plurality of safe or vault plates or wall componentsset edge to edge, a projection rigid with each of said plates andlocated on the interior of the safe or vault when such plates areassembled in such structure, the opposing faces of said projections andof the plates adjacent thereto diverging to form a space;

means for locating said plates in fixed position or alinement relativelyto each other, and comprising a key located in a keyway formedintermediate said projections; and means shrunk on said projectionsfordraw- :ing or clamping said contiguous faces together and closing upsaid space.

10. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising,incombination with a plurality of safe or'v-ault plates or componentslsetedge to edge with the outer edges of the gjoint-surfaces of suchplates in contact, and 1 with a space intermediate such point of contact and the inner faces-of such plates, means j for drawing said platestogether soasto close up such space and hold the plates under tension11. A safe or vault component or plate fastening comprising,incombinationwith a plu- Qrality of safe or vault plates or componentsgset edge to edge with the outer edges of the jjoint-surfaces of suchplates in contact, and Ewith a space intermediate such point of con-;tact-and the inner faces of such plates, means comprising a deviceshrunk onto parts of such Z plates for drawing them together so as toclose up such space and hold the plates under tension.

12'. A safe or vault component or plate fastenin g comprising, incombination with a pinirality of safe or vault plates or'components Esetedge to edge with the outer and inner edges of the joint-surfacesthereof incontact with a space intermediate such points of con- 'itact,means for drawing said plates together thereby to close upsuch' spaceand hold such iplates under tension.

13. A pair ofsafe or vault plates or memibers having their outercontiguous faces sub- }stantially flush, one of saidplates having a Qflange or projection adapted to yield under ithe effect of an explosivecharge while preserving a metal-to-metal contact of the joint- :surfacesof such plates; and means for maintaining the edges of such plates inpermanent contact.

14:. A pair of safe or vault plates or memserving a metal-to-metalcontact of the jointsurfaces of such plates; means for maintaining theedges of such plates in permanent contact; and means for locating theplates in alinement.

15. An improved joint for safes or vaults formed by assembling a pair ofsafe or vault plates or members with their outer contiguous facessubstantially flush, one of said plates having a flange or projectionadapted to yield under the eifect of an explosive charge whilepreserving a metal-to-metal contact of the joint-surfaces of suchplates, such jointsurfaces having contact adjacent to the outer sides ofthe plates and diverging toward the inner sides thereof to form a space;and means for drawing such joint-surfaces together to close up suchspace.

16. A pair of safe or Vault plates or components having projectionslocated at one side thereof with a part of their opposing faces normallyout of contact; means for drawing the faces of such projectionstogether; and means for maintaining the plates in alinement andassembled so as to permit all parts of such faces to be drawn intocontact.

17. An improved joint for safes or vaults formed by assembling a pair ofsafe or vault plates or members having a bead located on one side ofsuch plates at the joint thereof, and also having projections located atthe opposite side of such plates and formed so that a part of theiropposing faces are normally out of contact; and means for drawing suchfaces together.

HENRY D. HIBBARD.

WVitnesses:

C. A. WEED, CHARLES FINKLER.

